The Housing Chronicles Blog: 9/1/13 - 10/1/13

Monday, September 30, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/30/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/30/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Consumer confidence dips to lowest level since April
  • Personal incomes, spending and savings all rose in August
  • Mortgage loan applications rose by 5.5 percent in latest survey as rates dip slightly
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Friday, September 27, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/27/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/27/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • New home sales rose in August but still subdued due to higher interest rates
  • Pending home sales eased in August but still 5.8 percent above same month of 2012
  • U.S. GDP grew by 2.5 percent during 2Q 2013 in third estimate
  • Initial unemployment claims decline by 5,000 in latest report
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/25/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/25/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Case Shiller Indices rose for fourth straight month in July
  • FHFA House Price Index rose for 18th straight month in July
  • Consumer confidence dipped in September as short-term job outlook sours
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Monday, September 23, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/23/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/23/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Leading Economic Index rose for second straight month in August
  • Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey shows improved manufacturing activity in September
  • Mortgage loan applications rose by 11.2 percent in latest survey
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Friday, September 20, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/20/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/20/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • August existing home sales rose to 6.5-year high
  • Building permits dipped slightly in August but housing starts still rose from July
  • Initial unemployment claims rise by 15,000 in latest report
  • Federal Reserve to continue quantitative easing until unemployment falls more
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/18/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/18/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Builder confidence unchanged in September after rising for four months
  • Consumer prices rose slightly in August
  • Industrial production edged up in August after being flat in July
  • Empire State Manufacturing Survey improves modestly in September
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Monday, September 16, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/16/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/16/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Retail sales rose less than forecast in August
  • Consumer sentiment falls to five-month low in September
  • Producer Price Index rose more than forecast in August
  • Business inventories rose more than forecast in July
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Friday, September 13, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/13/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/13/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Wholesale inventories rebounded less than expected in July
  • U.S. export prices fell in August as import prices remain flat
  • Initial unemployment claims plummet by 31,000 in latest report
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/11/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/11/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • End of month job openings, hires and separations little changed from June
  • NAHB Improving Markets Index leaps to 291 markets, the highest level in two years
  • Consumer credit rose less than forecast in July
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

September column for Builder & Developer magazine now online

My column for the September issue of Builder & Developer magazine is now posted online.

For this issue, entitled "Mortgage Interest on the Rise," I reviewed the current state of how green mortgages can help soften the blow of rising interest rates to aspiring homeowners.  An excerpt:
As the concern about rising interest rates have many people in our industry wondering about the potential impact on housing demand and prices, an often overlooked alternative for additional financing is the green mortgage, especially for the latest energy efficient new homes. 

Although they can be difficult to obtain, most energy efficient mortgages (or EEM) programs let buyers qualify for bigger loans than they would otherwise by folding in the additional cost of making improvements for energy efficiency or of purchasing an already energy efficient home. Another version of the green mortgage provides discounts on loan fees or interest rates for homes that are certified as energy efficient. 

Because mortgage interest payments are tax deductible, an energy efficient mortgage can be a more cost effective way to finance home energy improvements than using a credit card, bank loan or cash, which usually offer no tax benefits. 
To read the entire column, click here.

To read the entire September 2013 issue in digital format, click here.

Monday, September 9, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/9/13

Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/9/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Job growth modest in August as unemployment dips to 7.3 percent
  • Factory orders dropped steeply in July, putting pressure on third quarter growth
  • Mortgage applications rose by 1.3 percent in latest survey
  • Federal Reserve:  auto and home sales up but lending weakens
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Friday, September 6, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/6/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/6/13 on the Web.


In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Private sector jobs rose by 176,000 in July
  • August job cuts surge to highest level since February
  • Initial unemployment claims fall by 9,000 in latest report
  • Labor productivity rose at 2.3 percent in 2Q 2013, matching gains in compensation
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 8/30/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/4/13 on the Web.


In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Construction spending rose to highest level in four years in July
  • Manufacturing sector expanded in August for third consecutive month
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.

Monday, September 2, 2013

BuilderBytes' MetroIntelligence Economic Update for 9/2/13


Please click here to see the edition of BuilderBytes for 9/2/13 on the Web.

In this issue of the MetroIntelligence Economic Update, I covered the following indicators:
  • Consumer confidence eased in August
  • Chicago Business Barometer rose in August for second consecutive month
  • Personal income and spending barely rose in July; personal savings flat
  • Mortgage applications fall by 2.5 percent in latest survey
Want to advertise in the newsletter and reach over 130,000 readers? Contact National Sales Manager Nick Cosan at nkosan@penpubinc.com.